STEVE WATSON has predicted that York City will need to lean on a large part of their squad over the coming month.

Between today - when Chester visit Bootham Crescent - and December 1, York have no fewer than eight games.

The Minstermen have had some good news about injured players returning ahead of today's National League North fixture, with Jack Redshaw, Matty Brown, Akil Wright and Robbie Tinkler all back in training this week.

Squad rotation is going to be key for City, with manager Watson also wary of pushing recovering players too much too soon.

"We've got eight games in three-and-a-half weeks so we've got to be sensible putting people back in," he said.

"I would suggest the majority of the squad will be needed over this difficult spell."

After three games, York lie 10th, their five points leaving them trailing early table-toppers AFC Fylde by eight points.

Today's opposition Chester have four more points than York after two more games. Since October 24's defeat to lower-league Marine in the FA Cup, the Blues are without a positive result in any competition.

Watson is not reading too much into City's position at the moment, preferring to reserve judgement until the end of this hectic period.

"I think only three games in, that doesn't necessarily tell a story, but by the end of November, we'll know where we're at," Watson said.

"It's obvious we want to get promoted. That's the reason I'm here and the reason we come into work every day.

"Some teams have had terrific starts, like Gloucester and Fylde.

"We can't afford to let them get away from us.

"Our intention every game is to win it.

"We'll be looking forward to giving everything we can to try and do that on Saturday.

"There will be short turnarounds for Southport and Kidderminster.

"The games will be coming thick and fast. We've got a decent-sized squad with a lot of quality players who will be needed.

"First and foremost is to turn up on Saturday with the right team, the right system and the right result."